IIT Bhubaneswar becomes the first IIT to introduce Odissi as BTech subject

IIT Bhubaneswar has become the first IIT in the country to introduce any dance form in its curriculum. The institute has introduced Odissi as one of its BTech subjects.

The director of the institute, Ratnam Varada Rajakumar announced the decision on Friday.

Speaking about his decision to introduce a dance form in IIT, Rajakumar said, “Dance can broaden horizons of students studying specialised course.”

Explaining the course in detail he said that the first year students could learn Odissi like any other extra-curricular activity such as NSS, NCC, badminton, or yoga as an extra-academy activity of one credit. But gradually, in their second and third years, the students can opt Odissi as an elective “breadth course” from among a range of subjects such as Odissi, financial management, international relations and entrepreneurship. Each of the two semesters in a year would have three credits for the “breadth course,” which is mandatory to clear BTech.

According to reports, ten girls have already chosen Odissi soon after its introduction. As per the curriculum, they will now have to clear in Odissi exam to attain the BTech degree.

N.C. Sahu, the Assistant Professor (Economics) of IIT-B said, “We have hired trainers for the courses. The Odissi study would include classroom teaching, activities while the exams would include written tests as well as demonstration of techniques.”

The director added that students opting Odissi in the final year can continue it as an optional subject or opt out of it. However, any student learning it in the final year would get a diploma in dance as well.

The institute has already talked to noted Odissi exponents Kum Kum Mohanty and Iliana, among others to design the Odissi curriculum and its examination pattern.